Renters insurance is designed to cover you and your items in case of an accident. Unfortunately, renters insurance is subject to exclusions as with any other insurance policy. It’s important to understand the common exclusions on your renters insurance policy so you can make sure to add coverage where
it’s needed.
Environmental Exclusions
Basic renters insurance policies cover loss and damage to personal belongings due to fire, lightning, hail, smoke, theft, vandalism and more. What renters insurance doesn’t cover, however, is damage or loss due to floods or earthquakes. Depending on your insurance provider and where you live, you can purchase separate flood and earthquake insurance policies to cover against these dangers. Flood insurance can cover most water-related damage not covered by your renters insurance policy.
Liability Exclusions
While one half of a renters insurance policy covers personal belongings, the other protects you and your family against lawsuits. General liability on your renters insurance policy can cover expenses related to a claim of bodily injury or property damage that occurs on the rented property. It can even cover intentional injury or damage for children below a certain age, but it does have exclusions when it comes to pets. Although pets are covered under renters insurance, most insurance providers have exclusions when it comes to certain dog breeds. Be sure to check your insurance provider’s specific exclusions on pets to see if your furry family member is covered.
Personal Belongings Exclusions and Limits
Along with typical policy limits when it comes to compensation, certain items may have limited coverage under renters insurance. Expensive items such as jewelry, furs, art and electronics may not be covered. If they are, that coverage is typically limited unless you purchase a policy floater. With a policy floater, you can receive further compensation for these expensive items.
Items that are not covered under renters insurance include paper money and important documents.
Pests
Renters insurance often doesn’t cover damage caused by pests such as bugs and rats. This is mostly because a lot of pest damage is avoidable. Pests such as rats are easy to notice, as the damage and noise they cause is large and obvious. Any damage or loss due to negligence will not be covered under renters insurance.
If you notice any pests or damaged, be sure to have the issue handled immediately by your landlord or a professional.